Rocio Mateos
Martha, a three-year-old Neapolitan Mastiff, has won this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California on June 23.
Unique attributes like her heavy drools, red eyes, and pounds of excess skin earned her the title of the World’s Ugliest Dog. This comes with $1,500, a trophy, and a trip to New York for media appearances.
Every year, the contest receives what they seem to be the ugliest dogs around, mostly old, tiny, and hairless. But this year, the 125-pound Neapolitan Mastiff beat them all. Not only thanks to her looks but also to her charming personality.
The crowd was cheering for Martha from the beginning of the contest, but honestly, she couldn’t care less, she was just laying down on her side with her cheeks sprawled all over the stage during the competition.
The big, ugly, lazy and gassy dog had some harsh competition. Runner up was Moe, a 16-year-old Brussels Griffon-pug mix. Deaf and blind, Moe was the oldest contestant.
The third position went to Chase, a 14-year-old Chinese Crested-Harke mix.
Yes, they are all ugly as heck. But judges were taking in consideration different aspects to choose the winner, like first impressions, unusual attributes, personality, and the crowd’s reaction. And Martha truly rocked all of them.
Martha was rescued from abusive owners
Martha comes from a sad background. The ugly-yet-adorable noble giant was abused before being advertised on Craigslist. She was found and rescued by Shirley Zindler, founder of non-profit the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project.
According to Ms. Zindler, she was nearly blind from mistreating. Luckily, after three surgeries, she got a lot better and was able to see again, but was left with droopy red eyes and uncontrollable drool.
It was a matter time for Martha to be adopted by Jessica Burkard of Penngrove, California, who raised her with lots of love despite the drool and the gasses.
When she was given the award, Kerry Sanders of NBC News, who was one of the three judges, asked her “Do you know you just won the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest?” Zindler, her handler answered for her: “I’d gloat, but I need a nap.”
